Smartie Break!

On our 2nd outing on the MTB our 5yr old managed to do 5 miles offroad in 59 minutes! I know you've worked it out - the average speed is now 5mph up from 3.7mph! There is no stopping the boy! Well there is - me. If he had his way we would have done 20 miles!

Picture is of us at 1/2 way point taking the mandatory Smartie break! Doesn't everyone eat smarties when they exercise? The blue one's are the best!

Quick getaway!

Have a couple of days holiday monday and tuesday next week so it's a long weekend for me. I was hoping to get a early finish to work today but sod's law meant i was working till 7pm. Ah well, finsihed now. Time for a beer, feet up and a good film!

Nordic Walking

Was introduced to Nordic walking at a work off site. Initially i was a bit sceptical. But it's won me over! Let me tell you what it is then i can explain the benefits!

Nordic walking is basically Nordic skiing without the ski's. You walk and propel yourself along with the poles (made of carbon fibre with titanium spikes on the bottom!). Exercising this way is 20% more efficient than normal walking and it not only exercises the legs but arms and torso! I can burn 1,000+ calories in just over an hour.

The benefits. I'm losing weight, getting out in the fresh air and doing exercise that does not cause impact injuries. All-in-all a good exercise for my weight loss. Since i have started i've lost 6lbs in weight due to Nordic walking.

There all right in the north west

Been working out of our Cheshire office for 4 days. Also took mountain bikes with me so that some of the team could cycle in the evenings. First night 4 of us did 14 miles down the canal towards Manchester. Nice evening and good ride.

2 nights later 5 of us headed to Delamere forest were we did one of the forestry commission fire 7 mile fire trail rides. We ended back up at the cafe/car park and bumped into the owner and the chef from the cafe. We were looking for places to ride and Colin and Dean just decided to take us out for another 45 Min's and show us some great parts of the forest. Technical single tracks, big drops etc. I have the scars and bruises to show for it but it was great fun and knackering. Thanks lads for helping us out! Check out the cafe website and the critter cam :)

http://www.delamerecafe.com/

Big News!

Our eldest - all of 5yrs old - has made some big progress whilst i have been in Cheshire for 4 days.

Cycling without stabilizers uphill and downhill. Cycling whilst chatting. Cycling whilst looking around!

Saturday we went out and bought a ridgeback MTB for short persons. Sunday eldest and Dad out for our first off road bike ride down disused railway line. Results: Average speed 3.7mph, total distance covered 3miles, total time spent cycling: 48 Min's! No falling off. One massive puddle, many tree roots and a few muddy bits. Excellent ride!

Fences and neighbours

Got to vent!

We are having a fence replaced at the back of the house. Approx 65metres. First panel goes up, neighbour around complaining about the concrete posts used to keep the panels up, the height of the panel, etc etc. The list is long! Main issue seems to be the asthetics of concrete posts. I explain the need for concrete posts (which are 4" wide) due to the wet clay ground and the poor drainage. To move things along we have adapted fencing at our expense to keep the peace. More work, more complaints. We adapt. More rework for contractor. Everyone happy. I wouldn't mind but i gave them details 2 months previously and everyone agreed! I have put up with abuse and some interesting language, but have remained calm (i know it's not like me!)

Funny part? The poor contractor who is doing the work got doorstepped by the wife of the neighbour today (who has been the worst offender during the past week). Guess what? She wants the contractor to put some fences with concrete posts. Go figure. The funnier part is the contractor is arranging a special high price to do the work as he doesn't like the way we have all been treated. Now that's funny!

You pay for what you sow!

Dark Nights!

Daylight starts about 5am and finishes around 9pm at the moment. Unfortunately, in a few weeks time, the darkness will last to later in the morning and the darkness will descend earlier in the evenings.

4 months and the christmas cards will be out in the shops :)

Do Not Follow Sat Nav!

Are we becoming too reliant on technology?

In part of the south downs i visit regularly we have just had a new sign put up. Seems delivery drivers aren't using maps anymore. The paper map shows via colours and icons difficult roads. Alot of drivers are relying on sat nav and following blindly that seductive voice from the dashboard!

I think we might be seeing more of these signs being erected over the coming months.....but i'm not sure how effective they are as most drivers don't read roadsigns much these days!

Where has the time gone?

It's been a while as alot has happened in the last two weeks - mostly work. Time in paris chasing a big deal, 2 day leadership offsite, 1 day team building - which turned into me on the phone for 1/2 day and lots going on?

The trees?

We've had the tree surgeon in the back garden to take down the fast growing willow which was endangering various gardens and buildings! Now we look for a smaller evergreen to fill in the gap!

Another Day another ride

Another great day weather wise today. Finished work, dinner, then loaded the MTB onto the back of the land rover and headed down the road. 15 mins away is the start of a 10 mile disused rail track (thanks mr beeching) . Good surface for majority of the way, outbound has a slight include that goes for miles and miles so a bit of a slog, but managed to do 17 miles in 90 minutes tonight. When the sun went down (around 2030hrs) it was still 17C ! Another 1500 calories burnt. Just as well as i am on a 7am train into London to catch the eurostar for Paris. Back Friday!